With Christmas travel expected to peak across Karnataka, KSRTC has announced an expanded bus operation to help passengers avoid last-minute congestion. In view of the Christmas festival on December 25,
the state transport corporation will operate 1,000 additional buses over multiple days, supplementing its regular schedules. The move is aimed at easing pressure on popular routes from Bengaluru and other major cities during both the outbound and return travel phases.
KSRTC’s special services will operate on December 19, December 20 and December 24, covering the main pre-Christmas travel rush. To handle return traffic, additional buses will be operated from various intra-state and inter-state locations to Bengaluru on December 26 and December 28.
Bengaluru as the main departure hub
Kempegowda Bus Station will serve as the primary hub for the Christmas special services. KSRTC will operate exclusive buses from Bengaluru to a wide range of destinations across Karnataka and neighbouring states, covering pilgrimage centres, coastal towns, district headquarters and major cities.
| Travel belt | Destinations covered |
| Pilgrimage centres | Dharmastala, Kukke Subramanya, Shringeri, Horanadu, Tirupati |
| Coastal and Malnad | Mangaluru, Kundapura, Gokarna, Karwar, Sirsi |
| Central Karnataka | Shivamogga, Hassan, Davangere |
| North Karnataka | Hubballi, Dharwad, Belagavi, Vijayapura, Kalaburagi, Raichur, Ballari, Koppala, Yadgir, Bidar |
| Inter-state routes | Hyderabad, Vijayawada |
These routes are among the most sought-after during the festive season, with high demand from families, pilgrims and long-distance travellers.
Special services from Mysuru Road Bus Station
To decongest Kempegowda Bus Station and improve regional connectivity, KSRTC will also operate exclusive Christmas special buses from Mysuru Road Bus Station. These services are aimed at passengers travelling towards Mysuru district and Kodagu, which traditionally see a spike in holiday travel.
| Region | Destinations |
| Mysuru region | Mysuru, Hunsur, Piriyapatna |
| Kodagu belt | Virajpet, Kushalanagar, Madikeri |
Passengers departing from south and southwest Bengaluru are expected to benefit the most from these services, as they reduce the need to travel to the city centre for long-distance buses.
Booking tickets and travel planning
Advance reservation has been enabled for all special buses through KSRTC’s computerized booking system. Passengers can book tickets online via ksrtc.karnataka.gov.in or at advance reservation counters across Karnataka and other states. KSRTC has advised reserved passengers to carefully check the boarding point printed on their ticket, as special buses may depart from specific terminals or platforms.
For travellers outside Karnataka, KSRTC booking counters are operational in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, Puducherry, Maharashtra and Goa, allowing passengers to plan return journeys to Bengaluru in advance.
Additional services if demand rises
KSRTC has stated that, apart from the announced 1,000 extra buses, additional services will be operated from all taluk and district bus stands based on real-time passenger demand. Information regarding departure points and timings has been integrated into the reservation system and is also available on reservation tickets and the official KSRTC website.
For passengers travelling during the Christmas rush, early booking, careful attention to boarding points and route selection remain key. With its expanded festive schedule, KSRTC aims to make holiday travel across Karnataka smoother, more predictable and less stressful for commuters.
